A Missal is necessary for the celebration of the Mass: it is likely that each priest or altar would have had one. Flyleaf inscriptions record that this manuscript was acquired for Durham cathedral through Prior John Fossor (1341-1374), and that it was kept at the altar of Sts. John the Baptist and Margaret in the Chapel of the Nine Altars. The Common Of Saints is introduced by an illuminated initial 'E'; smaller initials are in red and blue, with leaf-forms touched with green.